With iSimplyConnect ($15 per month for up to three users), businesses can ensure their iPad-toting employees are protected when accessing applications and servers behind the work firewall. The app forces the iPad to establish a Virtual Private Network tunnel when connecting to certain resources and Websites. Part VPN control and part mobile device management, iSimplyConnect makes VPN easy as one-two-three on the iPad.

Working remotely, whether from home or while on the road, is increasingly becoming the norm. Businesses deploy Virtual Private Networks to ensure that the data is protected as it passes in and out of the company network. While VPN technology is pretty widely deployed, in many cases, they are limited to desktops and laptops. There just aren't that many VPN client apps for mobile devices.

Some companies are issuing tablets, such as Apple's iPad, to their sales and support teams out in the field. Many employees are unofficially using their personal tablets to connect to the network. Administrators can use iSimplyConnect to keep track of all the iPads being used and force the user to switch to a VPN tunnel for certain sites.

The software-as-a-service provides users with VPN without the administrators having to install any equipment. iSimplyConnect pricing is pay-as-you-go: $15 per month for up to three users, $40 per month for up to 10 users, $95 per month for up to 25 users, and $180 per month for up to 50 users. Since it's a monthly subscription, if you wind up not using it for that month, there's nothing to pay.

Getting StartedThere are two parts to iSimplyConnect: the client available from the iTunes App Store and the server software directly available on the iSimplyConnect Website. I signed up for a trial on the Website and created an account. A series of instructions appeared on the site prompting me to download the software to an "always-on" computer on the network. If I didn't have install privileges on such a machine, I could click on a link to send instructions to my IT administrator. If I could install the software, I could just continue with the installation process.

Clicking on the notify IT link sent another email to the administrator with the subject line, "Can we try out iSimplyConnect" and a short spiel about the benefits of the tool. The message instructed the recipient to create an account on iSimplyConnect. The installation process from this point is the same.

The instructions recommend the software be installed on a Windows server, preferably one that is connected to the Windows domain. Since the Windows domain wasn't required, I installed the software on to a standalone Windows Server 2008 R2 machine on the network.

Once installed, iSimplyConnect displays a PIN associated with the iSimplyConnect setup. The administrator proceeds to the management screen to track users and the list of protected domains. From this screen, I sent email invitations to users to install the app on their iPads.

Connecting to the VPNAs a user, I received an email with instructions on downloading the client app from the App Store. After the installation process, I opened the app and clicked on "Join company network now." After entering my email address and the PIN (conveniently included in the email), the iPad was authenticated, and a little "VPN" icon appeared on the top left corner of the screen to indicate I was connected.

The iSimplyConnect created a new user profile on the iPad, which could be viewed under Settings.

Being on the Windows domain makes it easier for the management tool to control which resources require VPN access, but there's an option to manually list those sites within the interface as a "Dial-on Demand Domain." I listed Yammer, Salesforce's chat service, Google Search, and a Webmail address for Outlook.

When I browsed to those sites using the iPad, it automatically turned on the VPN. From this point, being a user was easy. I didn't have to keep the app open or running on the iPad. As soon as I tried reaching a company resource, the VPN would automatically turn on. Whenever the tablet went into sleep mode because I stopped using it, it would turn itself off to save power.

There was one drawback to the way iSimplyConnect worked. The language in the app made it seem like the VPN would turn on whenever I accessed something online or on the network, so I was initially concerned that it wasn't turning on when I went to YouTube or other sites. It turns out that VPN kicks in only if the site is on the Dial-up Domain list or if I was on the Windows domain. The messaging within the app needs to be clearer to explain that the VPN won't be turned on for everything, but only certain services specified in Domain policy or the customized list.

If I wanted to proactively turn on the VPN, I could do it by opening the app. If the administrator made any changes in the management tool, such as adding new dial-up domains or deactivating the user, the app would automatically update the profile on the iPad. I deleted a user from the interface and saw the iPad update the settings and stop turning on the VPN almost immediately. The speed is handy for when the IT department wants to stop supporting certain devices or when an employee leaves the company.

iSimplyConnect No LaggardTo test performance and connection speed, I tried using the mobile speed tests available on DSLReports.com. The mobile test is different from the standard speed tests I used for testing desktop VPN clients as they required Flash (which the iPad doesn't support), and use different file sizes.

Without the VPN icon being displayed on the status bar, I saw 1.416 Mbps to transfer a 1 MB file. With the VPN on, that dropped to about 1.316 Mbps to transfer 1 MB. The drop in latency and download speeds were all very slight, so users shouldn't notice a dramatic difference between using the iPad over VPN and without.

iSimplyConnect Delivers More than Screen SharingMost SMBs may just need screen-sharing tools to be able to look at what is happening on a remote server. In which case, tools like GoToMyPc and LogMeIn Hamachi may be enough to get access to the desktop. However, iSimplyConnect secures the actual network connection, making it possible for employees to login to the CMS, look at files on a file-share server, or work on the network from an iPad. Businesses don't have to upgrade the equipment in order to deploy VPN technology for employees looking for secure access to the company network. Compared to the cost of installing and maintaining a local VPN, iSimplyConnect is easy and affordable.